MassDOT has announced that it is in the process of expanding its new, innovative pothole information program which was piloted in areas of Central and Western Massachusetts over the past year and includes an online MassDOT Potholes Dashboard that provides data to the public.

This user-friendly dashboard includes a map that details pothole locations and size, the number of potholes filled, the type of material used, and the total approximate cost.

MassDOT can also use this data when making capital investments decisions to focus our resources on roads and areas that require consistent pothole repair and manage our assets in a cost-effective manner that prevents emergency pothole repairs.

“MassDOT is pleased this program has been successful thus far, and we are continuing to expand this innovative approach across the state,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “By engaging the public, we gain the advantage of quicker response and repair times, which translates to safer, more efficient travel for everyone who uses the Commonwealth’s roads.”

“This online dashboard showcases firsthand how dollars are being spent and enables us to make more informed decisions regarding our resources and capital investments,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin. “MassDOT is committed to customer service and this public engagement and this information tool illustrates the daily efforts of our staff to make roads safe for travel. It allows us to better monitor road conditions and repairs, and then we are able to use this data when determining where we should initiate road reconstruction and resurfacing projects to ensure our transportation systems remain safe and reliable.”

The pothole repair program also includes a field application through which MassDOT road crews can input data outlining the date, time, cost and materials used to repair potholes. The data collection structure uses MassDOT’s GIS systems to establish an interactive webpage. Once entered, that information then becomes viewable in real-time to the public via the online dashboard.

The program has been successfully piloted in the Springfield and Worcester areas and MassDOT will expand the service to the remaining districts over the next several months. MassDOT expects the application to be implemented in Western Massachusetts near the New York border, Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands within the next month, and to the I-495 belt, North Shore, and Boston Metropolitan Area months later.

While it is not possible to track all repairs and activity, data collected during the pilot program shows that MassDOT made at least 310 pothole repairs on I-90, (the Massachusetts Turnpike), between Sturbridge and Weston in 2016, and has conducted about 210 pothole repairs between Springfield and Weston from January to February 17, 2017.

Potholes can also be reported to MassDOT by calling 857-DOT-INFO (857-368-4636) or 877-MA-DOT-GOV (877-623-6846) or by contacting MassDOT online. Potholes can also be reported to the State or local police who will contact MassDOT with the report.

MassDOT is reminding members of the public that work-related activities and traffic impacts as part of the Tobin Bridge Rehabilitation Project are currently expected to begin in April after MassDOT conducts an outreach process to inform the public of project impacts. To allow crews and …Continue Reading Tobin Bridge Project Begins in April

MassDOT is reminding members of the public that work-related activities and traffic impacts as part of the Tobin Bridge Rehabilitation Project are currently expected to begin in April after MassDOT conducts an outreach process to inform the public of project impacts. To allow crews and …Continue Reading Tobin Bridge Project Begins in April